United Way kicks off campaign

While it appears the economy is improving, Janette Holdeman said there are still many children and families in need.

John Richmeier

While it appears the economy is improving, Janette Holdeman said there are still many children and families in need.

Holdeman is the chairwoman of Board of Directors for the United Way of Leavenworth County.

She spoke Wednesday during the kickoff breakfast for United Way's annual fundraising campaign.

"This is our 58th year," Executive Director Nancy Bauder said.

She said one in three people in Leavenworth County have been touched by the United Way and its partner agencies.

The United Way of Leavenworth County has a goal of raising $350,000 for the 20 local agencies it serves. The campaign runs through October.

"We look forward to a good campaign," Bauder said.

Bauder said much of the fundraising comes through companies. She said several companies have their own campaigns for the United Way. And companies utilize payroll reductions to raise money.

She said the United Way also uses direct mail during the campaign.

Ken Bernard, chairman of this year's campaign, said all of the contributions made during the campaign will be used to the help the community. He said the organization has separate fundraisers to pay for its administrative costs.

"I would encourage you to make that well known to everyone," he said.

Those attending Wednesday's breakfast had the opportunity to hear from two people who've been impacted by a tutoring program offered at the Richard Allen Cultural Center and Museum. The Leavenworth organization is one of the agencies that partners with the United Way.

Bauder played a video about the tutoring program in which soldiers from Fort Leavenworth work with local students.

Then, Malcolm Green and Malik Benson spoke. Green, a former student of the tutoring program, said it helped him with his classes and preparing for the ACT test.

He has since graduated college and now goes to the Richard Allen Cultural Center to give back.

Green encouraged parents to send their children to the tutoring program.

"We're always looking for kids to assist," he said.

Benson, 10, has been in the program for two years. He said it helps with managing not to become angry about little things and to not give up on himself.